Three Essential Root Cause Analysis Tools
Question from a Conference
At a recent conference, I was asked:
“What are the essential tools for root cause analysis.”
That was easy to answer. Why? Because we wrote a book about it titled:
Using the Essential TapRooT® Techniques
to Investigate Low-to-Medium Risk Incidents
So, let me quickly explain the three essential tools for root cause analysis.
Tool 1: The SnapCharT® Diagram
We’ve always taught TapRooT® Users that they need to understand what happened before they can understand why it happened. Therefore, our first tool helps people understand what happened (and how it happened).
Above is an initial SnapCharT® Diagram used in our course to demonstrate its use in a “simple” incident.
This SnapCharT® Diagram is from the start of an investigation. It helps the investigator plan their investigation, organize their facts, and spot areas for further investigation.
Eventually, the diagram progressed until the investigator fully understands of what happened, or at least all the evidence they can collect, as in the example below…
This diagram includes failed Safeguards (indicated by red broken walls) and Causal Factors (indicated by triangles). Once the Causal Factors are identified, we are ready to find the Causal Factors’ root causes using the next essential tool, the Root Cause Tree® Diagram.
Tool 2 – The Root Cause Tree® Diagram
The Root Cause Tree® Diagram is the “secret sauce” of the TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis System. Once causal factors have been identified, it guides investigators to the root causes of human performance issues and equipment problems.
Why do you need guided root cause analysis? Watch the first three minutes of this video if you want to find out why…
How does it guide investigators? By using expert systems built into the Root Cause Tree® and the Root Cause Tree® Dictionary.
The first part of the guidance is the Human Performance Troubleshooting Guide (sometimes called the 15 Questions). The first question is shown below…
The 15 Questions guide you to one or more of the seven Basic Cause Categories on the back side of the tree. Below is an example of one of these categories that helps the investigator analyze human engineering issues.
The terms used in the Root Cause Tree® Diagram are defined by questions that an investigator should be able to answer. These questions are in the Root Cause Tree® Dictionary.
How do we know we have the right questions in the Guide, on the tree, and in the Dictionary to guide your investigation? Simple … expert development, review, and testing. To find out more about how the tool was developed and tested, CLICK HERE.
Now that we have identified all the root causes for all the Causal Factors, it is time to develop effective corrective actions. To do that, we developed the Corrective Action Helper® Gude – the next tool we will explain.
Tool 3 – The Corrective Action Helper® Guide
We learned back in the 1990s that even when root causes have been identified, people often have trouble seeing how to effectively solve these problems. Therefore, we went to the trouble of developing suggestions for potential solutions for every root cause on the Root Cause Tree® Diagram. We then developed a guidebook to help investigators develop more effective corrective actions.
How Can You Learn to Use These Three Essential Root Cause Analysis Tools?
That’s easy! Just pick the TapRooT® Training that best suits your needs and register!
What TapRooT® Course should you register for? There are four to choose from:
2-Day TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Course
This is the fastest way to learn the essential TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis tools. See the full course outline HERE. See the upcoming public course dates and locations HERE. Or get a quote for a course at your site by CLICKING HERE.
3-Day VIRTUAL TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Course
You can learn the three essential tools in a 3-day virtual course. See the complete course outline HERE. See the upcoming public course dates (and time zones) HERE. Get a quote for a virtual course for your company’s employees by CLICKING HERE.
2-Day Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting and TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Course
This course is designed for people who want to find the root causes of equipment failures and reliability issues. See the complete course outline HERE. See the upcoming public course locations and dates HERE. Get a quote for a course at your site by CLICKING HERE.
5-Day TapRooT® Advanced Root Cause Analysis Team Leader Training
Learn the essential tools plus MORE! This course teaches the three essential tools plus additional tools to help investigators find the root causes of any incident, from a near-miss to a major accident. See the complete course outline HERE. See the dates and locations of the upcoming public 5-Day Courses HERE. Get a quote for a course at your site by CLICKING HERE.
Don’t Wait!
Poor incident investigation and root cause training that doesn’t find the incident’s root causes can lead to repeat incidents. Repeated incidents could lead to a major accident. A major accident could include a fatality or a major hit to your corporate reputation. Therefore, you need the best root cause training to prevent major accidents. Schedule your root cause training today!
